Mansfield OAP who stabbed his wife in the eye sent to a care home indefinitely

The Patchills

Published:13:31Updated:13:32Friday 17 October 2014

A pensioner with dementia who stabbed his wife in the eye in a frenzied attack has been told he will be admitted to a care home indefinitely.

Maurice Joseph Poismans (69) lunged at his wife of 49 years, Margaret, at their home on The Patchills, Mansfield, in November 2012.

She was dragged to the floor and repeatedly had her head slammed on the floor, before Poismans stabbed her no fewer than 30 times with a bread knife and pair of scissors.

She had stab wounds to her neck, back and buttocks.

Mrs Poismans had since made a recovery, although her right eye had to be removed after being badly lacerated.

Poismans was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court earlier today, Friday 17th October, where he received a 44 month prison sentence.

He had initially been charged with attempted murder, but the crown accepted a charge of unlawful wounding, a sentence that carries a maximum penalty of five years.

But having been on remand for almost two years, and with defendants usually serving only half of their sentence, he was released on licence.

As part of the conditions, he must reside at a care home who specialise with people with dementia.

A restraining order was also placed on him to prevent him contacting Mrs Poismans.

Judge Gregory Dickinson QC told Poismans: “You did something terrible. It was bad enough that you hit her and put her to the floor, knocking her head to the ground, but you took up a knife and stabbed her a number of times, directed at her head and face.

“The effect on Mrs Poismans is life changing and permanent.

“She remains terrified that there might further incidents, even if there’s no risk at all.

“I will pass a sentence of 44 months; in one sense it’s a long sentence to someone with much reduced responsibility for his actions, but on the other hand it’s not long enough for the terrible consequences for Mrs Poismans.”

A statement was read out from Mrs Poismans saying that the relationship between the two was now over.

Poismans wept as the statement was read out, but showed very little emotion throughout the rest of the hearing, even thanking Judge Dickinson when his sentence was passed.

For the Crown, Gareth Gimson said that in the months prior to the attack, Poismans had suffered a stroke, seizures and was showing signs of vascular dementia.

Even the wardens at the couple’s warden-controlled accommodation had noticed a change in his behaviour, and at times he became aggressive.

The court was told how their lengthy marriage was ‘troubled from the outset’ with Poismans being jealous and possessive over his wife.

On the morning of the attack on 25th November, he had inexplicably grabbed his wife forcibly and pushed her to the ground, before repeatedly hitting her head against the floor.

She recalls drifting in and out of consciousness and thought she was going to die. She recalled pulling the emergency cord to alert the warden.

Two wardens turned up and could see Poismans through the glass in the door, still in his pyjamas, standing over Mrs Poismans.